Cartridge-feed device for automatic firearms



Dec. m 1926.

C. SONCINI ET AL CARTRIDGE FEED DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1925 JYIEWZL'OITS Cesaw Soncz'm and M'i'fomo Casfe/h.

. N p WM .fFf/Ofney Dec. 21 1926.

C. SONCINI ET AL CARTRIDGE FEED DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS Filed April 28, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cesare Soncim and V/ffom'o C0534 v Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CESARE SONCINI AND- VITTORIO CAS'IELLI, OF IBRESCIA, ITALY.

CARTRIDGE-FEED DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC FIREARMS.

Application filed April 28, 1925, Serial No. 26,406, and in Italy October 9, 1924.

The present invention relates to a device for feeding cartridges in automatic firearms, and an object of the invention is to provide a device for this purpose, of simplified and improved construction.

Large capacity automatic firearms are necessarily fitted with a large size cartridge magazine, which renders the firearm cumbersome in transport, increases the liability of damage to the magazine through accidental collisions and makes the filling of the magaz ine with fresh cartridges difiicult inasmuch as the filling end of the magazine is away from the user and in an inconvenient position, so that the user in order to eifectthe filling must shift his position and expose himself to the enemy.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved magazine which can readily be removed from the firearm when the latter is not to be used, this. portion being so designed that no delicate and essential parts are liable to be damaged, such as the lips that hold the cartridges and present them to the obturator in order that the latter may push them into the barrel after each shot. Further, the magazine is connected to the firearm in such manner that it can readily be tilted into a convenient filling position.

The invention is essentially characterized by the fact that the cartridge magazine is made up by the combination with a magazine seat permanently secured to the firearm and fitted with the usual cartridge retaining and presenting parts-of a removable box capable of containing all the cartridges; of means adapted to connect the said box to the said feeder and to allow the tilting of the said box into a convenient position for filling the magazine with fresh cartridges; and of means for fixing the said box in firing position.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an execution form of the invention by way of example only. In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the device, some parts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a view looking on the left hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section through 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view from the breech end, i. e., looking on the right hand side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section through 55 in Fig. 1.

The device comprises a' feeder 1 permanently secured to the barrel casing 2 of the fire arm which may be of any type whatever. The magazine seat 1 forms inside of the arm a fixed guide 3 of suitable profile serving to hold the cartridge to the obturator 4 whlch, on returning in closing position, forces the cartridge into the barrel.

The magazine 5 contains the cartridges arranged in two parallel rows, the cartridges 1n one row being staggered by a diameter relatively to the cartridges in the other row. The magazine 5 is fitted with a feeding sprlng which is inserted into the member 1 and bears against the seat projection 6.

The connection of the magazine 5 is effected by means of a rod 7 permanently secured at 8 in the eyelets 9 formed in the rear end of the seat 1; the top end of the rod 7 is fitted with a spring-loaded tooth 10. The rod 7 is lodged in a swallow-tail-shaped guide 11 secured to the rear wall of the magazine 5; the tooth 10, by engaging the end of the guide 11, secures the connection of the rod 7 with the magazine 5.

In the wall of the' magazine 5 a recess 12 is formed. in the sides of which is supported the pivoting pin 13 for the hook 14; the spring 15 holds the hook M in engagement with the recess 16 formed in the seat 1.

In firing conditions the device occupies the position shown in Fig. 1 in which position the magazine 5 is rigidly secured to the barrel casing and the cartridges pass from the magazine into the guide 3, from whence the loading tooth of the obturator pushes them into the barrel. When the cartridge supply in the magazine is exhausted, the user disengages the hook 14 from the recess 16 and tilts the magazine forwards'through 90 so as to bring the magazine axis into parallelism with the barrel, but still attached to the casing by the hinge and rod 7.

Under these conditions the filling-in end of the magazine is turned to the user who can now readily put in a fresh supply of cartridges. This done, the user can at once restore the magazine into working position by tilting it through 90 in upward direction about the pivoting pin 8.

Finally, when the weapon is not to be used and it is desired to reduce its volume, it sufiices to disengage the hook 14 from the magazine seat 1 and to disconnect the spring loaded tooth 10; the magazine 5 can then be threaded oil the connecting rod 7 and thus be dismounted from the weapon.

The device described enables the replenishing of the magazine with fresh cartridges, as well as the taking down and restoring in place again of the magazine to be carried out most easily and quickly. Further, owing to the fact that the guide 3 serving to hold the cartridges to the obturator is rigidly fixed to the barrel casing and consequentl cannot alter its position relatively to the 0 turator and barrel, the feeding of the cartridges into the barrel always takes place in the most regular way and all wedgmg through displacement of the ordinary ribbons and loaders is avoided.

Of course the arrangement described is indicated merely by way of example, the construction and arrangement of the different parts being susceptible of variations to suit the various types of fire arms concerned.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is 1. A cartridge feeding vdevice for automatic firearms, comprising a magazine seat permanently secured to the firearm and fitted with the usual cartridge retaining and presenting parts, a removable box capable of containing all the cartridges, means adapted to connect the said box to the said seat and to allow the said box to be tilted April 1925.

into a convenient position for utting in a fresh supply of cartridges, and means for fixing the said box in the firing position.

2. A cartridge feed device for automatic fire-arms, comprising a magazine seat permanently secured to the firearm' and fitted with the usual cartridge retaining and presenting parts, a removable box capable of containing all the cartridges, a rod hinged to the said feeder, a guide formed in the box side and adapted to be engaged by the said rod, and means for fixing the said box in firing position.

3. A cartridge fulcrumed on a side of the box and pro- I vided with a terminal hook, a recess formed in the feeder for engaging the said hook in firing position.

Signed at Milan (Italy), this 14th day of CESARE SONCINI. VITTORIO CASTELLI.

feed device for automatic: firearms, COIIlpI'lSlDg a magazine seat per 

